F-16s may conduct exercises over region this week

F-16 fighter jets may fly through the airspace around Dayton, Springfield and Middletown this evening and tomorrow as part of a military exercise, the Ohio Air National Guard said.

The evening exercises, scheduled between 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., will track a Civil Air Patrol aircraft during the training, said Staff Sgt. Shane Hughes, a spokesman with the 180th Fighter Wing in Toledo.

“Basically, the plane is taking on the role of an aircraft that has entered an authorized airspace and has not contacted the air traffic control tower and is not responding to the air traffic control tower,” he said.

The exercise will test coordination among the Eastern Air Defense Sector, the Federal Aviation Administration and the fighter wing stationed at Toledo Express Airport. Pilots will be wearing night vision goggles during the intercept, he said.

“We’re constantly adjusting how often and when we’re doing (exercises) just as a matter of training to ensure our pilots and the people our pilots work with are fully qualified and ready to meet any threat to the country,” Hughes said.

Weather may delay the exercises, the wing said.

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